Socialist Activists Arrested in Zimbabwe

by - Tue Mar 26, 2002 18:04

".....boycott and mass action supported by a united front of progressive organistions"

It sounds a bit like popular frontism to me. What about the independence of the Working Class movement? Surely the ISO must have learned the lessons of Spain in 30's, China in 20's, Chile in 1973 .....

Throughout the history of working class struggle whenever the workers' parties have collabarated and entered into popular fronts it has lead to a catastrophic defeat of the working class.

The workers MUST maintain a clear independent organisation and line.

by revolutionary African - ISO Zimbabwe Fri Mar 22, 2002 17:03

by ISO Zimbabwe Tuesday March 19, 2002 at 03:50 PM

We will not wait for another 6 years! Workers, students & youths smash Zanu (PF) & neoliberalism now!

Socialist Worker

General Strike Now!

We welcome the call by ZCTU General Council for 3 days stayaway. The time for mourning is over comrades, we cannot accept Mugabe to rule us for another six years. As admittted by The Herald, Mugabe is now trying to please his real masters ... the IMF. Already he is lifting price controls with soft drinks, beer already up and bread, cooking oil, mealie-meal, electricity next. It is correct six years is too much. Kusiri kufa ndekupi? - already we are starving because of shortages. On 18 March the new tuition policy and privatisation of catering will be waiting for students. Student activists have been expelled, whilst dictators like Hill are to be re-appointed. Teachers are already under massive victimisation. Fascist laws like POSA are denying us our right to freedom of assembly (strike, demonstrations and labor meetings). Whilst Mugabe has already signed the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill into an Act his government refuses to pass a new Labour Act that protects casual / contract workers and guarantees a living minimum wage linked to inflation. We say Servants of the Rich and IMF Must Go!

When Reg. General Mudede declared Mugabe the winner many people felt like he was passing a death sentence. Some cried and sad faces were the order of the day. Nobody worried about their normal day to day activities. Many left work early and by noon most towns were like ghost towns.

Even though most people were angry there has so far not been major demonstrations or stayaway. This is not because the people don’t want to fight back. In Mbare, Highfield and Chitungwiza there has already been action ... but without determined leadership this has been quickly crashed. The problem is that leaders of the opposition and the labour movement, unlike in MADAGASCAR, are failing to give direction or openly call for mass action/ stayaway as mandated by the masses - instead they hang on western imperialist aprons or pray for a government of national unity with the dictator. Comrades this is not the time for cowards or imperialist bootlickers.. those who can’t stand the heat must get out of the kitchen now! The question that people are asking is “another six years, todii veduwe? (What should we do?)

Way Forward

The way forward is to go back to the traditions of 1997 - 98. Without any opposition MPs’ we managed to reverse the proposed taxes and won a 20% cost of living adjustment through mass action - general strikes. In Madagascar today and Serbia in 2000, mass action booted out dictactors who had stolen elections. This is what we must do now ... 3 days stayaway by ZCTU is not enough. ZCTU and Zinasu must call for an indefinate general strike, class boycott and mass action supported by a united front of progressive organistions. But if mass action is to succeed we have to avoid the mistakes made by the MDC leaders in the elections. Whilst the MDC leaders courted support from the bosses, commercial farmers, the western imperialists/IMF (Bridge) and unclear on the land issue, Mugabe built his support by his fake anti-imperialist stance on the land question, price controls, a minimum wage and “retreat” from IMF neo-liberal policies(ESAP). In the general strike we must demand both democracy and bread and butter issues. Let us start this process of not recognising the Mugabe government by demanding:-

1. The non recognition of the Mugabe government - No to a government of “National Unity!”

2. Right to education - reversal of tuition fees, privatisation and reinstatement of expelled students.

3. A new Labour Act and minimum wage linked to inflation and for the right to strike.

4. New democratic and anti-neoliberal constitution. Land to all peasants, full compensation to farm workers.

5. No to price increases, devaluation & privatization. Smash ESAP and Capitalism

Shinga Mushandi/Mudzidzi! Qina Msebenzi/Umfundi! Socialism Ndizvo!

Issued by I.S.O. and supported by ZINASU, PTUZ, Students Against Privatisation, National Union of University Students. Workers in engineering, printing, textiles & construction. For details phone: 704209, isozim@hotmail.com, P.O. Box 6758 Harare. Photocopy , fax and distribute

by - Fri Mar 22, 2002 16:13

Could you please tell me the tactics of the ISO while working within the MDC.

Is the ISO opposing the rightwing neo liberal policies of the MDC leadership? How are they doing this, what programme are the ISO arguing for, is it a socialist programme?
Does the ISO argue for the MDC to break from the large landlords and big business?